Ming Dynasty: Zhu Biao's younger brother, the most rebellious son in history

Zhu Kai sternly refused: "I have no desire for the throne, I just want to work for the court and the people."

The prince was so angry that he said, "Humph, don't refuse my toast and drink the penalty wine."

Soon, rumors began to spread in the court that Zhu Kai intended to participate in the fight for the throne.

Zhu Kai said angrily in the court: "This is pure slander. I have never had such thoughts."

But those ministers with ulterior motives echoed the rumors.

The minister said, "Second Prince, there is no smoke without fire. You'd better explain it clearly."

Zhu Kai replied: "I have a clear conscience, no explanation needed."

When Zhu Yuanzhang heard about this, he also became suspicious of Zhu Kai.

Zhu Kai went to the palace to meet the emperor and said, "Your Majesty, I am loyal and have no intention of coveting the throne."

Zhu Yuanzhang remained silent with a complicated expression.

Zhu Kai returned home, feeling depressed.

He said to Gu Wen, "It seems that someone wants to use this incident to suppress me, or even put me to death."

Gu Wen said: "Your Majesty, we must find out who is behind this and clear your name."

After some investigation, they found out that the mastermind behind all this was the prince who failed to win over Zhu Kai.

Zhu Kai sneered: "For the throne, he is so unscrupulous."

However, at this moment, new troubles arose.

Some of Zhu Kai's close associates were falsely accused of corruption and bribery and were thrown into jail.

Zhu Kai was extremely anxious: "It's clear that someone deliberately framed me and wanted to weaken my power."

He ran around trying to rescue his confidants.

During this process, Zhu Kai met a mysterious woman.

The woman said to him, "Second Prince, I can help you, but you have to agree to one condition."

Zhu Kai asked cautiously: "What are the conditions?"

The woman smiled slightly: "When it's done, you will know."

Zhu Kai had no choice but to agree temporarily.

With the help of the woman, Zhu Kai gradually uncovered a shocking secret.

It turned out that the prince not only framed Zhu Kai, but also colluded with foreign enemies in an attempt to usurp the throne.

Zhu Kai was shocked: "He is so cruel and crazy."

Zhu Kai decided to go to the palace again to tell Zhu Yuanzhang the truth.

Zhu Yuanzhang was furious when he heard this: "How dare you, you rebellious son, do such a treasonous thing."

In the end, with the assistance of Zhu Kai, Zhu Yuanzhang successfully thwarted the prince's conspiracy.

The prince was deposed, and Zhu Kai once again made great contributions.

However, Zhu Kai was worried about the condition of the mysterious woman.
After Zhu Kai solved the prince's conspiracy to usurp the throne, he was still thinking about the conditions proposed by the mysterious woman.

Finally, the mysterious woman appeared again.

She looked at Zhu Kai and said slowly: "Second Prince, now is the time to fulfill your promise. My condition is that I hope you can help me rescue my relatives who have been imprisoned in the cold palace for many years."

Zhu Kai frowned and asked, "Why were your relatives imprisoned in the cold palace?"

The woman said with tears in her eyes: "There are many injustices in this. My relatives were framed by villains and angered the emperor, which led to this end."

Zhu Kai pondered for a moment and said, "I'm afraid this won't be easy. The affairs of the cold palace are always sensitive. I need to think carefully."

The woman said eagerly: "Second Prince, I believe in your ability. As long as you are willing to help, we will succeed."

Zhu Kai comforted him, "Don't worry, I will do my best."

However, when Zhu Kai started to investigate the matter, he found that the relationship behind it was complicated.

Gu Wen said, "Your Highness, this matter seems to involve some secrets in the palace back then. If you are not careful, you may end up in trouble."

Zhu Kai said firmly: "Since I have promised them, I cannot break my promise."

Zhu Kai collected evidence everywhere, trying to clear the woman's relatives.

In this process, he encountered a lot of resistance.

Some old palace people warned him: "Second Prince, don't meddle in other people's affairs, otherwise you will bear the consequences."

Zhu Kai remained unmoved and still insisted.

Finally, he found the key evidence to prove that the woman's relatives were wrongly accused.

Zhu Kai said, "Your Majesty, I have something important to report about the people in the cold palace."

Zhu Yuanzhang said: "Speak."

Zhu Kai presented the evidence and explained the injustice in detail.

After Zhu Yuanzhang saw it, his expression changed from gloomy to bright.

Zhu Kai knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, there was indeed a misunderstanding about what happened back then. I hope Your Majesty will show mercy."

Zhu Yuanzhang was silent for a long time, and finally said: "Forget it, if that's the case, then pardon him."

The woman's relatives were able to regain their freedom and were filled with gratitude to Zhu Kai.

But before Zhu Kai could breathe a sigh of relief, new troubles came knocking on his door.

It turned out that Zhu Kai's action of overturning the case for the woman's relatives offended the forces that framed them back then.

This force colluded secretly and prepared to harm Zhu Kai again.

They maliciously slandered Zhu Kai in the court, saying that he interfered in the palace's internal affairs and had ulterior motives.

Zhu Kai angrily retorted: "Everything I did was for justice, what's wrong with that?"

But Zhu Yuanzhang's expression became more and more ugly.

After leaving the court, Zhu Kai said to Gu Wen worriedly, "I'm afraid it won't be easy to get away this time."

Gu Wen said: "Your Majesty, we have to find a way to use leverage against them to turn the situation around."

Just when Zhu Kai was racking his brains for a countermeasure, that force took the initiative and framed Zhu Kai for a serious crime.

Zhu Kai was thrown into jail.

In prison, Zhu Kai sighed: "I never thought that I would end up like this after serving the country and the people wholeheartedly."

When the news spread outside, people began to speak out for Zhu Kai.

Some loyal ministers also advised Zhu Yuanzhang that Zhu Kai was wronged.

Zhu Yuanzhang began to re-examine the matter.

After Kai came out of prison, he was exhausted both physically and mentally, but he did not become depressed.

One day, Zhu Kai was talking with Gu Wen in his house.

Zhu Kai sighed and said, "This experience has taught me that the fighting in the palace is endless, and if you are not careful, you will be doomed."

Gu Wenying said: "Your Majesty, after this ordeal, you must be more cautious in your future actions."

Zhu Kai nodded and said, "That's right, but the situation is still complicated and we need to be vigilant at all times."

Not long after, urgent news came from the border that a powerful foreign force was gathering and eyeing the border covetously.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Kai took the initiative to ask Zhu Yuanzhang: "Your Majesty, I am willing to go to the border again to resist foreign enemies."

Zhu Yuanzhang hesitated and asked, "You have just been through so many ups and downs. Can you handle it?"

Zhu Kai said firmly: "For the sake of the territory of the Ming Dynasty and the peace of the people, I have no choice but to do this."

Zhu Yuanzhang agreed, and Zhu Kai immediately reorganized his troops and prepared to go to war.

Before setting off, Zhu Kai gave a speech to the soldiers: "Everyone, this expedition carries a heavy responsibility. We must repel the foreign enemies and keep the border of the Ming Dynasty safe."

The soldiers shouted in unison: "We are willing to follow the prince to kill the enemy and defend our country!"

Zhu Kai led his army and marched all the way to the border.

After discussing with local generals, Zhu Kai discovered that the enemy was not only strong in manpower, but also had treacherous tactics.

Zhu Kai said to the generals: "The enemy is coming fiercely, we need to win by wits."

The general asked, "What good plan does your lord have?"

Zhu Kai said: "First send out spies to find out where the enemy's food and grass are stored, and then send a surprise attack to cut off their food and grass."

The plan went smoothly, the enemy's food supplies were burned, and the army was in chaos. However, the enemy generals were unwilling to fail and decided to go all out and launch a general attack.

The battlefield was filled with smoke and the sound of killing was deafening.

Zhu Kai led the troops and fought bravely against the enemy.

Zhu Kai shouted: "Soldiers, follow me!"

A soldier said, "Your Majesty, there are too many enemy troops. We can't hold on any longer."

Zhu Kai replied: "Hold on, victory is just around the corner!"

At the critical moment, Zhu Kai discovered a flaw in the enemy army and led his soldiers to break through in one fell swoop.

After a fierce battle, the enemy was finally repelled.

After the battle, Zhu Kai reviewed the battle situation with his generals in the tent.

Zhu Kai said: "Although we have won this time, the enemy will not give up easily. We must strengthen our defenses."

The generals nodded.

At this time, news came from the capital that someone in the court impeached Zhu Kai for having troops on the border and having ill intentions.

Zhu Kai was furious when he heard this: "These treacherous villains stabbed me in the back."

Gu Wen said, "Your Majesty, we need to return to Beijing as soon as possible to explain everything."

Zhu Kai pondered for a moment and said, "First, arrange the matters at hand properly, and then make plans."

However, before Zhu Kai could set off, the enemy attacked again.

Zhu Kai had to join the battlefield again.

This time, the enemy was more ferocious and the battle was extremely brutal.

Zhu Kai said to the soldiers: "Even if we fight to the last man, we will never retreat!"

Encouraged by Zhu Kai, the soldiers fought to the death.

After several days of fierce fighting, the enemy was finally repelled again.

Zhu Kai said exhaustedly, "It's time to go back to Beijing. The turmoil in Beijing is still waiting for me to deal with."

Gu Wen said, "Your Majesty, I don't know whether this trip will be a blessing or a curse."

Zhu Kai resolutely said: "Even if the road ahead is difficult, I will give it a try."

Zhu Kai, along with a small number of trusted followers, set out on the journey back to Beijing.

Zhu Kai felt extremely heavy-hearted on his way back to Beijing.

He rode side by side with Gu Wen and said, "Gu Wen, I'm afraid it will be a fierce battle when we return to Beijing this time."

Gu Wen responded: "Your Majesty, I will stay with you no matter what."

Zhu Kai nodded slightly, "I hope we can resolve this crisis smoothly."

While they were on their way, they suddenly encountered a group of robbers.

The bandit leader shouted, "I opened this road, leave some money for passage!"

Zhu Kai said coldly: "How dare you do such a robbery in broad daylight!"

The bandit leader laughed and said, "Stop talking nonsense, brothers, go ahead!"

Zhu Kai and his cronies quickly drew their swords to engage in battle.

Zhu Kai said as he beat them: "You guys think you can rob me?"

After a fierce fight, the robbers were beaten and fled.

We continued on our journey and finally arrived in the capital.

As soon as Zhu Kai entered the palace, a minister came to visit him.

The minister said, "Second Prince, your military exploits at the border this time have been accused of being self-reliant. This is really unfair."

Zhu Kai replied: "Thank you for your concern, I will explain it to your majesty."

The minister added: "The situation in the court is complicated now, you must handle it carefully."

After Zhu Kai sent the minister away, he said to Gu Wen: "It seems that there is a big conspiracy behind this."

Soon, Zhu Yuanzhang summoned Zhu Kai into the palace.

Zhu Yuanzhang sat on the dragon chair and said solemnly, "Zhu Kai, someone has impeached you for having troops on the border. What do you have to say?"

Zhu Kai knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, I am only concerned with defending the border, and I have no intention of raising an army for my own benefit."

Zhu Yuanzhang was silent for a moment, then asked, "Then how do you explain your troop movements?"

Zhu Kai replied: "Your Majesty, that is a tactical arrangement to deal with the enemy. Everything is for victory."

At this time, the eunuch beside him said: "Second Prince, you can't just talk without any evidence."

Zhu Kai glared at the eunuch, "You eunuch, stop talking nonsense!"

Zhu Yuanzhang said: "Okay, I will send someone to investigate this matter."

Zhu Kai returned to the palace, extremely anxious.

He said to Gu Wen: "If the person conducting the investigation is bribed, the consequences will be disastrous."

Gu Wen said, "Your Majesty, why don't we take the initiative and find the evidence that has framed you."

Zhu Kai nodded and said, "This is the only way."

After some secret investigation, Zhu Kai discovered that all of this was manipulated by the Queen's family behind the scenes.

Zhu Kai gritted his teeth and said, "They are so unscrupulous in order to gain power."

Gu Wen asked: "My Lord, what should we do then?"

Zhu Kai pondered for a moment and said, "Don't alert the enemy yet, wait for the right opportunity."

Just then, people from the queen's family came to the door.

The man said, "Second Prince, as long as you stop investigating this matter, we can keep you safe."

Zhu Kai sneered and said, "You have committed such a crime, and you still want me to let you go?"

The visitor threatened: "Second Prince, don't refuse a toast and drink a penalty."

Zhu Kai said: "If you have the ability, come and try, I am not afraid of you.

Zhu Kai decided to conduct a more in-depth investigation into the queen's family.

He conspired with Gu Wen in a secret room.

Zhu Kai said solemnly: "Gu Wen, you must be careful in this investigation and not let them find out."

Gu Wen nodded and said, "Don't worry, Your Majesty, I will arrange the most reliable personnel."

Zhu Kai continued, "Start with their industries and personal connections. Don't let go of any clues."

Gu Wen replied: "Understood, I have already given the order to have the spies disperse."

Soon, the spies brought back some news.

A spy reported to Zhu Kai: "Your Majesty, the Queen's family has many farms outside the capital. It is said that the rent is harsh and the people are suffering."

Zhu Kai frowned and said, "Continue to investigate and see if there is any seizure of civilian land."

Another spy said, "Your Majesty, they have close contacts with some court officials and often transfer benefits in secret."

Zhu Kai snorted coldly: "Sure enough, there is something fishy going on. Write down the list of relevant officials."

As the investigation deepened, Zhu Kai discovered that the Queen's family was not only making huge profits economically, but also forming cliques in the court in an attempt to control more power.

Zhu Kai said to Gu Wen: "These evidences are not enough. We need to find the key that can be fatal."

Gu Wen said: "Your Majesty, I heard that they have secret dealings with foreign races. Perhaps this is a breakthrough point."

Zhu Kai's eyes lit up: "If they can prove this, they will not be able to escape the blame."

Therefore, Zhu Kai stepped up his investigation efforts in this regard.

After some twists and turns, they finally found a secret letter, which revealed evidence that the Queen's family was colluding with foreign races and intended to harm the Ming Dynasty.

Zhu Kai held the secret letter and said, "With this letter, let's see how they can argue."

However, at this moment, people from the Queen's family seemed to have noticed Zhu Kai's actions.

They discussed countermeasures in the palace. (End of this chapter)